SC lawmakers blame health, other jobs for Statehouse absences

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) – In South Carolina, there’s a restricted variety of days on which state lawmakers meet, however the penalties of lacking any a type of days are slim.

Virtually all state lawmakers are part-time, that means each second they spend on the Statehouse is necessary.

When lawmakers miss a day, they miss out on their day by day pay, which is meant to be a gasoline or lodge room stipend for legislators who journey from throughout the state. However there are not any limits on what number of absences, whether or not excused or not, are allowed.

Lawmakers do should reply to their constituents, who they’re elected to signify.

SC Home of Representatives

Within the 2022 common legislative session, there have been a complete of 121 members accounted for. Two seats stay vacant, the 18th and 97th districts, and Rep. Richard “Rick” Martin stays on suspension after he was indicted on prices of misconduct in workplace and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

For the South Carolina Home, day by day journals can be found on-line however they checklist who was there and who acquired an “excused” absence, that means they checked in with the clerk to offer a file of the explanation for his or her absence. The journals tabulate absences from Jan. 11 by means of Could 12.

Statewide, of the ten most often absent, the highest two are from the Charleston space, the data revealed.

Rep. Chris Murphy (R-Dorchester County) was absent probably the most, lacking all or parts of 32 of 46 classes. All of his absences are listed as excused, that means he checked in with the Home clerk and gave discover he wouldn’t attend. In February, Murphy appeared to have a medical episode throughout a committee assembly and was hospitalized, although his consultant didn’t present info on the time of the medical episode.

Rep. Joseph Jefferson Jr. (D-Berkeley and Dorchester Counties), of Pineville, north of Lake Moultrie, additionally had 18 excused absences. Jefferson mentioned he had a automobile accident in January that left him bedridden. He says within the 17 years he beforehand served, he solely missed a single day.

Rep. Ann Parks (D-Greenwood and McCormick Counties) ranked third on the checklist, lacking 16. Twelve of these had been excused, 4 had been “no-shows.” Parks didn’t reply to a request for remark.

Rep. Leola Robinson (D-Greenville County) had 11 excused absences and three “no-shows.” Robinson didn’t reply to a request for remark, however data point out she missed a number of days due to a loss of life within the household. On Jan. 12, the journal reads, “The Home stood in silent prayer for the household and pals of Rep. Robinson on the loss of life of her son, Basheer.”

Rep. Stephen Moss (R-Cherokee & York Counties) had 10 excused absences. Moss mentioned he was just lately identified with lung most cancers, the explanation he has chosen to not run for re-election.

Rep. Justin Bamberg (D-Bamberg County) additionally listed eight classes, a determine that features one excused absence and 7 “no-shows.” Bamberg offered a number of causes as to why he missed classes, together with dealing with legislative issues at house, a court docket date, sickness and sooner or later that he “awakened with a 1999 type hangover.”

Rep. Nathan Ballentine (R-Lexington and Richland Counties) had eight excused absences. In an electronic mail, Ballentine mentioned his “paying job is a really hectic one, significantly since 2020.” He operates a mortgage enterprise. He mentioned when he should be away, he all the time lets the clerk know.

One other Lowcountry legislator who made the checklist is Rep. William Cogswell Jr. (R-Charleston County), who missed eight classes. Rep. Ashley Trantham (R-Greenville County) had two excused absences and 5 “no-shows;” whereas Rep. Bobby Cox (R-Greenville County), had 4 excused absences and three no-shows. Not one of the three responded to requests for feedback in time for the story.

In the meantime, 40 Home members bought “excellent attendance” together with Rep. Joe Bustos (R-Charleston County) of Mount Nice.

“Effectively, it to me, it’s an obligation. It’s not simply an workplace I maintain,” Bustos mentioned. “I used to be elected to be within the state Home for a purpose to signify the individuals of District 112 and I can’t try this if I’m not there.”

Clerk of the Home Charles Reid says there’s not restrict to what number of days a consultant could be excused. There’s no distinction if they’re excused or not.

SC Senate

Within the South Carolina Senate, journals don’t replicate a day by day roll name, that means it was troublesome to search out the place attendance data are available for public viewing, however the Senate clerk despatched a replica of the data from Jan. 1 by means of July 15.

Most senators confirmed up this previous session 90% or extra of the time.

Sen. Margie Shiny Matthews (D-Colleton County) of Walterboro missed the 19 days of 57 days recorded, probably the most of every other senator. She didn’t reply to a remark for remark.

Sen. Marlon Kimpson (D-Charleston County) missed 15 days out of 57 recorded.

“As you might know, we began the yr in a pandemic,” Kimpson wrote in an electronic mail. “I, like many different South Carolinians, examined optimistic for COVID-19 this yr, together with the entire members of my speedy household at completely different occasions. Furthermore, the Senate guidelines don’t require masks or vaccinations and whereas some lodging are made (attending committee conferences by Zoom) every individual has to make selections which can be in the perfect curiosity for their very own private well being and security.”

He additionally mentioned a number of the absences had been brought on by juggling his second job as an lawyer. He expects the sickness to influence subsequent yr’s attendance as effectively.

Sen. Dick Harpootlian (D-Richland County) missed 9 days. He didn’t reply to a request for remark.

Sen. Michael Gambrell (R-Anderson County) had eight absences. He mentioned he missed three days with bronchitis and mentioned he’s a small enterprise owned.

“We have now to do no matter is required to maintain our enterprise going and performing constituent service in our district,” he mentioned.

Sen. Larry Grooms (R-Berkeley County) has seven absences on his file. He mentioned he was hospitalized throughout the session however was in day by day contact together with his workplace, which remained open and totally staffed.

Twelve senators of 46 had excellent attendance.

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